The following story is fictional and is intended for an adult
audience. It is not meant to suggest anything about the sexuality of Justin
Timberlake or any other celebrities included in this story. This story is
fiction, meaning not real. It's all for fun. If you are under age, it is illegal
in your country, or you don't like stories about gay sex, please stop reading
this now.

Chapter 68

Justin sat on the front porch, his arms wrapped around
Jennie's sleeping form.

She'd fallen asleep in his arms, watching the fire crew
across the street.

Jennie was covered in a thick blanket, the early morning hour
bringing a frosty chill to the darkness.

It was four o'clock in the morning, Justin and Jolan having
arrived about a hour earlier.

The Cutter's Bluff volunteer fire department had quickly
gained control of the fire, only the roof and one top floor bedroom damaged.

Jolan stood on the porch, against the front railing, looking
across the street to his former home.

The fire trucks were cleaning up, their hoses being packed
up.

They'd battled the blaze for about an hour and a
half, finally
extinguishing it a half hour ago.

Cory was walking across the street; Lonnie, Bill Carson and Sheriff
Walker on both sides of the young deputy.

The four men walked up onto the porch, Cory's Uncle Carl
smiling at the sheriff.

"It's finally out, Stu?"

"Yeah, Carl. Wasn't too far advanced. It was a good thing the
young lady was up and spotted the blaze, otherwise the whole place would have
been consumed." the sheriff said, looking towards the sleeping Jennie.
"Any idea on the cause?" Lynn asked, wrapped in a heavy coat, she and Cory's aunt
handing the men steaming cups of coffee from a couple of Thermoses.

The men thanked them, the sheriff looking at Jolan.

"It was arson, that's for certain. Gas cans were found in the
backyard, plus a ladder was left extended to the window of the burned bedroom.
Someone was dead set on burning your home to the ground, Jolan. And they didn't
care if they left any signs of arson. I think it was a message for you."

Justin's eyes went to Jolan, the young man looking at the
sheriff.

"I'm certain it was, Sheriff Walker. And I believe they wanted
it destroyed before I entered it. My past is waiting for me in that home,
Sheriff."

The sheriff nodded, looking at Cory and Bill.

"Cory's told me as much, son. I'm going to post security
checks in the evenings around the place. We'll try and keep it secure until you
decide to enter."
Jolan nodded, thanking the sheriff.

The fire chief came up to the house, the sheriff sending Bill
back to Jolan's home with him to finish up the paperwork.

"Someone's was dead set on you not going into that house,
Jolan." Cory said, Jolan looking at him.

"Yes, Cory. They wanted to stop me from remembering. But
burning my home won't achieve that. I am destined to remember."
Cory nodded, looking again at Justin.

Lynn was looking at Justin and Jennie as well.

"She's finally asleep, Jolan. I think you better
bring her back upstairs, Justin. She needs her warm bed." Lynn said, Thelma
agreeing, Jolan walking over to his
sister.
"Let me, Jus." he said, leaning down and picking her up with ease, her head
curling against his chest.

Justin stood, Jolan smiling at him, the young man following
Lynn and Cory's Aunt Thelma into the house.

Justin watched him leave, his eyes turning to Cory,
Lonnie and the
sheriff.

"Thank you all for everything tonight." he said,
Lonnie smiling at him.

"So who do you think is behind this fire?" Justin asked, the sheriff
looking at him.

"Probably the same people who hurt that young man the last
time." Sheriff Walker said, Justin looking at him.

"What happened here that night? I'd like to
know everything." Justin asked, Carl handing
him a hot cup of coffee he'd poured out of a Thermos.

Carl began to answer Justin's question, the sheriff looking
at him.

"No one knows, Justin. I was home here that night. Thelma and
I were both home, watching television all evening. We didn't see or hear anything.
The next morning I grew concerned when I saw Joel's front door wide open, and
the papers still sitting on the porch. Thelma and I walked over and found the
house completely empty. They were all gone. I just don't understand what
happened to them. It wasn't like Joel to just disappear."

Justin nodded, sipping the warm liquid.

"I checked with all the neighbors, no one hearing or seeing
anything that night. Chet Ryerson remembered seeing Joel driving home from work around five
that evening, but no one remembers seeing anyone after that." Sheriff Walker
said, sipping from his cup.

"So no one saw Jolan or Jennie playing outside, or anything?"
Justin said, surprised at that.

"Well, Jolan was home sick from school that day. So if he was
sick he wouldn't have been outside. Jennie went to school, that checked out,
leaving there at three forty-five."

"Jolan was home sick?" Carl asked, this news new to him.

"Yes, that checked out. His father had called his school that
morning around nine-thirty stating that Jolan had been sick all the night before
with a virus and wouldn't be in." the sheriff said, folding his arms.

"I spent the night before with Jolan, he and I going to a
double feature at the Belmont. We were out till almost eleven. He wasn't sick at
all, just his usual happy boisterous self." Cory said, looking confused.

"You're right, Cory. I saw him the next morning, picking up the papers
off the porch. He was smiling, yelling good morning to me and waving his hand.
He didn't look sick then." Carl said, looking at his nephew.

"It seems confusing alright. But the school verified that
Jolan hadn't been at school all that day. His father had called to inform them."
the sheriff said, scratching his head.

Justin folded his arms, his thoughts confused as well.

"So Jolan was missing all day from school. Jennie wasn't.
Jo's father was seen coming home from work, and Jennie seen leaving school. What
about Jo's mother?"
"Melina was last seen by Chantal Mason at Rhonda Lynn's beauty parlor getting her hair cut
around three o'clock. She walked home from there. That was the last anyone's seen
of her. That morning she taught her usual morning class." the sheriff said, those events etched in his sharp mind.
Cory nodded, looking at the sheriff.

"Class? Jo's mother was a teacher?" Justin asked,
that fact unknown to him.

"So Jolan was home alone all day, his mom coming home around
three-thirty, Jennie around four and his dad around five."
The sheriff nodded, setting his finished cup down.

"That's about right time wise, Justin. So the last any of them were
seen was around five. Whatever happened, happened that evening."
"I don't think so, Sheriff."
All of the men turned, looking towards the front door, Jolan standing in the
doorway.

"Being close, so close to home, I feel it Justin. I feel the
pain."
Justin's arm tightened around Jolan, the young man staring out into the dawning
gloom.

"You need rest, Jo. You've had hardly any sleep
for the last two nights."
Jolan broke from Justin's hold, looking again across the street at his
parents' home.

His eyes moved, looking towards his friends.

"I wasn't sick, Sheriff. Cory is correct in
that regard. That day--from what
I remember in my dreams at least--I believe I didn't go to school because I
was stopped from going."
"Stopped?" Justin said, worry in his eyes now.

"Yes, Justin. Someone stopped me. For I feel in my heart that
whatever happened to me in that house started that morning after my parents and
Jennica left. I was alone--and I was the first one attacked. I think it began
with me. My family walked into my nightmare."

Justin so wanted to pull Jolan into his arms, the
surroundings nixing that from happening.

Jolan looked into Justin's eyes, seeing his yearning
love.

"You think that's what happened, Jo?" Justin said,
looking at him with concern.

"I think there's only one way to find out, Jus. I
have to go into that house. I have to feel my past."

Justin nodded, looking at Cory.

"Is that wise right now, Jolan? You're tired and
they've left quite a mess upstairs over there. Let us clean it up a bit first."
Jolan looked back at the fire trucks, seeing them pulling out from in front of
the house, Bill walking back towards them.

"I'm going there this weekend, Cory. I
have to find out what's in that house. What it means for me."

Cory walked over to his friend, putting his hand on
his shoulder.

"And we'll be right beside, you my friend. We all
know what going there means to you. I only hope that you'll find what you seek, Jolan."
Jolan looked at his friend, seeing the concern and love in Cory's green eyes.

"I don't want to remember the pain, Cory. But I know
I must. Whatever happened to me there I'll have to endure. And I know I'll make it
through all of it with all of your love and help."
Lynn and Thelma had walked out of the house, hearing the conversation, Lynn
looking at Jolan.

"You need some hot food into you, son." she said,
her arm going around Jolan, Justin smiling at his mother's nurturing way.

"Alright, Lynn. I am a bit hungry."
"And you're also tired. I'm putting you to bed right after."

Jolan smiled, nodding at her smiling face.

"Alright, Mom."

Lynn smiled, leading the young man into the house.

Jolan sighed, wiping his mouth with his napkin, setting his fork
down, smiling at Thelma Hamilton.

"That was delicious, Mrs. Hamilton."
"Jolan, it's Thelma, always has been." she smiled, her hand on his
shoulder, Jolan smiling at her.

"Thank you, Thelma. That hit the spot."

She smiled at Jolan, pouring him another cup of
coffee, then making the rounds around the table.

"I need to be off. Wonderful as always, Thelma. Ya
give my Sharon a run for her money in the kitchen. But don't tell her that, or
I'll be eating oatmeal for a month."
Thelma laughed, slapping the man's shoulder.

"Mum's the word, Stu." she smiled, the sheriff
rising from his chair.

"See you later at the station, Cory?" he said,
putting his hat on, Cory nodding at him.

Bill rose as well, handing Justin a set of keys.

"My spare set. I'll be on patrol all day, but home
in time for lunch. Lee Daniels comes in and stays with Sid mornings."
"Thanks, Bill." Jolan said, smiling at him.

Bill winked, walking out of the kitchen with the
sheriff after farewells exchanged.

"So breakfast is finished, time for shuteye, young
man." Lynn said, Jolan smiling at her.

Justin smiled at his mother, looking towards Jolan.

"You heard Mom, Jo."

Jolan laughed, smiling at Justin.

"I know, I know." he said stretching his tired arms.

"There's a spare room right next to Jennie's, Jolan.
Top of the stairs, first door on your right." Thelma said, Jolan thanking her.
Justin looked at his lover, so wanting to follow him up there.

But he knew it would spark interest, Justin
remaining seated.

Jolan rose, saying goodbye to everyone, heading for
the stairs.

"Need help with the dishes, Mrs. Hamilton?" Justin
offered, Thelma smiling at him.

"No son, that's okay. Thank you for offering
though. My
nephew and husband always do them."
Cory smiled at his aunt, picking up plates, rising out of his seat.

"You've got a lousy poker face, son. Thelma picked
up on it right away. It took me a little longer." Carl said laughing, Justin
blushing.

"I don't hide it very well." he said
softly, looking
towards the living room doorway.

Thelma patted his arm, Justin looking at her.

"I've known that boy since he was seven, Justin. I
saw the love in his eyes, and I saw where he looked. It was easy to see the same
in yours. No worries, your privacy is safe. Jolan's like family to us. You're
welcome here the same as he."
Justin smiled, thanking her, getting up from his chair.

"I'll just check on him and make sure he's settled
in."
he said, walking out of the room.

"Settled in? Is that what they call spooning now?" Carl
said winking at his wife, Lynn laughing.

About half an hour later, Lynn quietly walked into
the room, smiling at the touching scene.

She moved silently around the bed, pulling a blanket up over
all three.

Jennie moved a bit, a small smile coming to her
lips, Justin's arm going around her in his sleep.

Lynn smiled, seeing Justin's protective love
surrounding the girl.

Lynn quietly looked out the bedroom window,
the house across the street coming into view in the early morning sunlight.

She stared at it a moment, then moved to the window pulling down the shade, the
room darkening a bit.

"Time enough for the oncoming pain, children. For
now, love surrounds you. My son's love will carry you through it all, both of
you." she softly said, walking quietly out of the room, silently shutting the
door.

Jolan's eyes opened, looking towards the closed
door.

He sighed softly, his paining heart surrounded by
Justin's love.

He closed his eyes, walking through his opening past
in his mind.

His vision took in a young man standing in the
darkness.

The man smiled, his voice lifting Jolan's pain.

Jolan opened his eyes, finding himself alone in bed.

He looked around the room, stretching.

Glancing at his watch, he slowly climbed out of bed,
stretching more.

Ten-thirty his watch said, Jolan shaking the sleep
from his mind, focusing on the bedroom door which was opening.

Lynn's head popped into the room, her face smiling
at Jolan.

"Ah, you're up. I was hoping you'd sleep till lunch.
How do you feel?"
"A lot better, thanks. I feel like I have some energy again."
Lynn smiled at him, opening the door wide.

"Where'd Jennie disappear to?"
"She's downstairs with Justin and the gang. They're playing lawn darts out on
the front lawn. She woke up around nine, Justin as well. Everyone showed up in
the last hour or so."
Jolan smiled, sensing that his lover had slept beside him.

He'd caught a whiff of Justin's cologne in the bed
when he'd woken.

He was also happy that his friends were all here.

Jolan asked Lynn where the washroom was, he wanting
to freshen up.

She showed him the bathroom at the end of the hall,
leaving him to do his business.

Twenty minutes later, Jolan walked out of the house
onto the front porch, his surprised face greeted by some large smiles.

Two young men had their arms around him, hugging him
tightly.

Jolan smiled, looking into Stephen and Jonathan's
bright eyes.

"Well this is indeed a surprise." Jolan said, his
eyes moving to Randall and Lisa, who sat on a settee smiling at him.

Britney smiled at the young woman, Jennie's face
beaming with happiness.

"And what's so funny, little angel?" she said,
Jennie smiling at her.

"Jolly's been playing around. He's so clever and
devious!"

Jolan smiled, his laughter under control.

Justin smiled, seeing his man so happy, that
bringing a wider smile to his face.

Britney looked at Jolan, the young man smiling and
walking up to her.

"Sorry, Bitzy. I'm not laughing at you. Just at the
absurdity of how easy it was."

She folded her arms, looking at him in confusion.

"How easy what was?"

Jolan smiled, his smile totally flooring everyone.

They'd never seen so much happiness on his face.

"How easy it was to lead him to your love."

Britney looked stunned, Jolan's eyes moving.

"Well the horse has been led to water, and he's
drinking of your love. Right, horsey?" he said, smiling at someone.

Everyone's eyes were focusing on who Jolan was
looking at.

If Britney was stunned, Chris was flabbergasted.

Chris stared at Jolan, his eyes large with surprise.

"You know?!!!!"

Jolan laughed, his smile not changing.

"Hell, I set it all up! Why do you think I offered
you up that night at Justin's to drive her and the kids home?"

Chris looked totally shocked, Britney staring at
Jolan as well.

His grey eyes moved between the two.

"That evening at dinner I saw the searching looks you were
both giving each other. It had been a day of revealing love, both of you hoping
for something yourselves. I saw love on the threshold of revealing itself. I took
it upon myself to initiate its birth. Let's just say I induced labor."
Joey erupted into laughter, a few others joining him, seeing before them what
was happening.

"I believe you have something you'd like to tell all
of us?" Jolan said, his arm pulling Justin against him again, Justin looking at
his lover with surprise, his eyes then focusing on his dear friends Chris and
Britney.

Britney moved to Chris, his arm going around her,
she smiling at him.

"Britney and I have fallen in love. I've never met
anyone who brings me so much joy and happiness." Chris said, his eyes filled
with tears.

Britney leaned forward, their lips meeting.

Everyone looked on in silence, their faces covered
in smiles.

"I love you, Chris. Here in front of all our old
friends I'll state that truth." she said, Chris smiling widely.

His eyes moved, looking at Justin.

"I love her, Justin. I hope you're okay with that?"
Justin's eyes were filled with tears, the man moving forward, wrapping his arms
around both of them.

"Of course I'm okay with it! I'm so happy for both
of you!" he said, half crying.

Jolan smiled, feeling the joy filling his lover's
heart.

There was no anger or envy in Justin's soul, only
the love and happiness he now felt for his friends.

Everyone surrounded the new couple, both hugged and
congratulated by everyone.

Jolan stood back, smiling at the two surrounded with
love.

Justin walked up to him, Jolan smiling at him.

"And why didn't you let me in on it?" he said,
smiling at him as he took him into his arms.

"Love is singular, Jus. It needs to develop on its
own. I think I know how they've spent the last week."
Justin smiled, kissing him tenderly.

"In love, just like me."
Jolan smiled, looking at the new couple.

Chris and Britney walked over to them, smiling
together.

"You're one of a kind, Dragos. Your mother was so
right."

Jolan smiled, staring at his friends.

"We all long to find love, Chris. For some of us, it
takes forever for us to see what's right in front of us. For others it's like a
lightning bolt. Our hearts ignite with unbelievable happiness. I see that look
now in both of your eyes."
Britney tearfully smiled, moving and wrapping her arms around the young man.

"I'll second Chris' observation. You're one of a
kind, alright. The most loving kind!" she said in tears of happiness, Jolan
smiling as she hugged him tightly, Jolan feeling her crying against his chest
now.

Jolan gently broke her hold on him, guiding her into
Chris' waiting arms.

"So is it Bitzy and Chitzy from now on?" he said,
Joey bursting into laughter again.

"More like Bitzy and Shitzy!" he said, Chris glaring
at his friend.

The two were in motion right away, Chris chasing
Joey off the porch, tackling him on the front lawn.

Everyone erupted into laughter, Jolan joining them,
watching the two wrestling across the lawn.

Jolan spotted something, grinning.

He walked down off the porch finding the switch.

Within moments Chris and Joey were screaming.

Water erupted all around them, Jolan having hit the
sprinkler switch.

"Ahhh!!! That's freezing!! It's like ice!!"
Joey yelped, both men on their feet in a flash, Chris and he soaking wet.

Jolan smiled, hearing the roaring laughter from the
porch above him.

The two soaking wet bandmates' eyes went to him.

Jolan smiled, both seeing glee and happiness in his
grey eyes.

"It's so ICE to see you guys again!" he said,
erupting into laughter, Joey and Chris both bursting into laughter as well.
Justin stood on the porch smiling, seeing his lover's bonding way with his
friends.

Everyone sat down to lunch; Lynn, Thelma and Jennie
putting out a big spread.

Chris and Joey had changed into dry clothing, sweatpants and
sweatshirts, provided by Cory and Carl's closets.

"I had a dream about Mom last night, Jolly. She told
me in my dream to watch the house. I woke up right after that. That's how I
ended up looking out the window at that moment and seeing the flames. I think
Mom saved our home."
Everyone looked surprised, their eyes on the young girl.